The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 81 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earned the Kirkus Star with publication dates between November 1, 2014, and October 31, 2015 (see FAQ for exceptions), are automatically nominated for the 2015 Kirkus Prize, and the winners will be selected on October 15, 2015, by an esteemed panel composed of nationally respected writers and highly regarded booksellers, librarians and Kirkus critics.

KIRKUS REVIEW

In the style of a pourquoi tale, the authors have crafted an explanation about how fireflies came to be. The one-of-a-kind squeegy bug knows he isn’t an ant, cricket, or flea. In fact, he doesn’t know what to call himself. When he meets Buzzer the Bumblebee, who has a stinger in his tail, the squeegy bug decides he would like to be a bee, too. He follows Buzzer’s advice and climbs toward the sky looking for a pair of silver wings like Buzzer’s. Caught in a rainstorm at the top of a cattail, he seeks help from the kindly caterpillar. The two travel to Haunchy the spider’s castle of webs to ask for a pair of wings, which he shapes from threads spun on his spinning wheel. It is Haunchy who points out that the bug isn’t a bumblebee and wasn’t meant to have a stinger. He pulls the brightest star from the sky, hangs it on the bug’s tail, and christens him Squeegy the Firefly, the Lamplighter of the Sky. Originally written when he was an Air Force Sergeant at the end of WWII, Martin’s (Rock It, Sock It, Number Line, p. 1128, etc.) illustrator was his brother Bernard. In this reissue, Corrigan’s illustrations are marvelously detailed, from Haunchy’s elaborate turban and king’s robe, to the acorn lantern of the top-hat-wearing caterpillar. Illustrations aside, it is plain that this was written before Martin really hit his stride with his perfectly cadenced rhymes. However, there will always be an audience for a new Bill Martin Jr., and this one fills the bill. (Picture book. 4-8)

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